Christmas day

All smiles with sleepy eyes on Christmas morning.  Thankfully my boys have never gotten up at a ridiculous hour.  They get up around 7 a.m. but they are ready to go!

Jay and Mike putting Nick's lego kit together.  Our Christmas days are typically relaxing and this year certainly was. 

I took this picture of Nick because I wanted to document the weather.  It was unbelievably mild - in the 40's.  The boys got out in the afternoon and rode their bikes.  Even as I write this we have yet to get snow.  We had a light dusting in mid December that melted six hours later and that's been it.  The boys missed having a white xmas but me, not so much. 

Jay got an Ipod Touch this xmas.  He loves it and I have officially entered the age of electronics with my oldest son.

Nick with his telescope from grandma and grandpa.

Mike's parents always spend Christmas day with us t our house.  We have a huge lunch time meal, open presents and relax.  It's so nice. 
And this is my final blog for 2011.  Happy New Year Everyone.

Christmas eve delight

We started the day by visiting my dad at the home.  It was dad's lucky year as he scored a new flat screen from my Aunt Karen.

The four kiddos.  I love this picture.

Nana and her four grandchildren.  We spent the afternoon with my mom.  We did things a little different.  Instead of having dinner together we had lunch and it was so nice.  It was less stress and it got us home at a decent hour that evening.

Nana got all four kids big stuffed bears - even Jay.  All of the kids loved them.

Lauren in her cupcake robe from Aunt May May (me)!

Jay with his new globe.  I expect him to be the geography whiz kid next semester.

Jay and Nana in his new vest.  The weather has been so mild lately he's worn his new vest jacket constantly.

The boys writing their letter to Santa and getting the cookies set out.  If Jay questioned Santa this year, he hid it well.  He was excited about Santa, talked about Santa and didn't think he was too old to write his xmas eve letter to Santa.  It was a wonderful and memorable xmas eve.

The gift exchange

On Friday, Dec. 23 the boys exchanged their gifts to each other.  This year my mom took Jay out to buy for Nick and Mike took Nick out to buy for Jay.  I'm never surprised at the thought the boys put into each other's gifts and I mean that - for once I'm not being sarcastic.  Ha.  The boys may be totally different personality wise but they know each other - well!  Jay picked out a checkers game from Cracker Barrel for Nick.  The "board" is actually like a big place mat.  Nick loved it!  Nick picked out a Lego kit for Jay.  Jay immediately put it together and loved it.  It does my mother's heart well seeing them being thoughtful with one another - even if it only happens once a year.  See the sarcasm is back. 

Ice Skating

My sister came up with the idea to take the kids ice skating but she thought it was something she could do with the 3 "big" kids by herself.  I gently told her that Nick wasn't that great of a skater and was she sure she didn't want me to come along?  After some thought she agreed she needed me to tag along and we were both so glad I came along.  She was glad because having another adult was a good thing and I was glad I came because we had a blast!  Jay is a good skater but Nick and Lauren, not so much.  I skated with Nick and Kim and her good friend, Molly, skated with Lauren.  It was so fun ice skating while listening to Christmas music and seeing your children with big smiles because they were enjoying themselves.

Nick trying out skating.  He held onto the wall for quite awhile but laer went out in the middle of the rink and you'll see how that turned out in another picture.

Jay is a decent skater.  He loves to skate and then he purposely falls - like he's sliding into first base.  Crazy but he loves it.  He had major ice burn on his legs the next day. 

Nick ventured out to the middle of the rink and crashed - bad.  He went head first into one of those orange cones and hit his lip.  His lip started bleeding so we took a quick rest.  I wish he was looking at the camera but he was having none of that.  Mostly his pride was wounded.  He did get right up and continued to skate.  A bloody lip wasn't going to keep him down.

The ice skating crew (minus me).  My sister and Molly are in the back.  We had a good time.  My sister suggested we make it a yearly tradition and I'm all over that.

Gingerbread House Giggles

This week I'll be posting pictures from our fun events we did the week of Christmas.  We really did have a lot of fun with family.  The first event took place on Thursday, Dec. 22.  Let me provide you with how this came about.  My mom bought the gingerbread kit but she wasn't able to make it with us as she was attending to my grandmother.  My sister might have said a few curse words once she opened the kit and realized she had to make the frosting and neither of us really felt confident enough to construct the house.  As you can tell neither one of us are a Martha Stewart.  Mike and Jay set out to construct the house and then Jay was off in a flash.  It was "cool" for a 4th grade boy to construct the house but not decorate it. 

Mike being the good sport that he is helped Jay with the construction of the house.  He also helped make the frosting the right consistency.  We got desperate and added flour.  Nick and Lauren waited patiently because they were going to decorate it.

Even Lukie joined in on the fun.  He mostly wanted to pull up on the table and grab whatever was in sight.

                                            The end result.  It wasn't perfect but like my mom and I always say, "Good Enough."

Highlights of Christmas

It's Christmas night.  I am sitting by the fire and it's 72 degrees in my house (something unheard of this time of year).  I am in my new hot pink slippers (thank you sister) and my jammies.  It is a perfect ending to a perfect day.  Let's be honest, Christmas day can be stressful.  Mike must spend most of his day putting toy after toy together and you add that with trying to cook a prime rib or snow plow ( like last year) and it can get overwelming.  This year was different.  The weather was beautiful and mild - a heat wave of 40 degrees (again unheard of this time of year).  The boys got outside this afternoon and played in the mud.  My in laws came over and we had delightful conversation with good food and good wine.  I was a satisified mother today - knowing I still have it - because everything I got my boys they LOVED!  Seriously everything I got them was a hit.  Sure they had their favorites but they really liked everything.  A few highlights.
*Nick woke up first this morning, came to our room and announced, "Santa came and he left me gifts."  Nick went to bed last night not knowing if he had "cleaned up his act" enough to be placed on the good list so imagine how pleased he was this morning to find his name on the packages. Nick's favorite song this Christmas, "Mittens & Gloves."  I pray I never forget his little 5 year old voice singing that song. 
*Jay got an Ipod Touch and has been playing with it all day.  He also got a hunter game for the Wii that he's been playing all day.  I questioned whether Jay still believed in Santa.  If he doesn't he sure put on a good show for me.  He wrote his letter to Santa last night and put the cookies out.  He was a typical almost 10 year old boy this Christmas - easy going and all about the electronics! 
*Somehow and I'm not sure how we got 4 kids through a 90 minute Christmas eve service. 
*We sure enjoyed time with family this Christmas and we are so blessed to have them so close.  The wonder in Lauren's eyes and watching Luke scoot across the floor was a pure delight.

 I thought a lot about Mary and Joseph this Christmas.  What was their journey like?  We're they scared?  How would I have liked to deliver my children in a stable?  It was those thoughts that kept reminding me the real reason for the season. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Counting of the packages

As Jay has gotten older his tastes have changed and he likes the more expensive - electronic - games.  I started "planting the seed" last Christmas that he may not have as many presents as his brother because his gifts cost more BUT I always make sure he understands I have spent the same amount of money.  This year he asked for an I-Pod Touch so I again went through the same song and dance with him.  He's never bratty about it and always shakes his head in understanding.  But seriously, who am I kidding?  I could not stand it if Jay had 3 gifts but his brother had 6!  This morning I got the gitfs out and counted them and Nick is short by one present.  So, I put my husband on a mission to find that last minute gift for Nick today.  Heaven forbid if Jay has one more gift than Nick.  Mike was happy to oblige but I was speaking to an attorney I work with today over the phone and he asked me "What is it with women and counting the packages to make sure everything is even?"  My simple response was, "I'm a mom."  No Mother Bear wants any of her cubs to feel "jipped" on Christmas morning!

It's all in how you look at it

Today is Mike's 39th birthday.  As I was cutting his cake (that I actually made for him instead of buying it) I was reflecting on what a nice December we've had.  Sure we've had the normal stresses that everyone has.  We've run from one basketball game to the next.  We've dealt with two boys who are full of the dickens (one more than the other these days NICK).  Just tonight as we were finishing up a very nice dinner with good food and good conversation I hear Nick in the bathroom yelling for toliet paper.  Mike and I had our hands full clearing the dinner table so we asked Jay to "deliver the goods."  That was our first mistake.  The yelling from Nick gets a little more frantic and all we could hear from Jay was laughing - another bad sign.  I sent Mike up to see what as going on, at which point I hear Mike asking, "Why is there poop on the bathroom floor?'  And I'll stop my story right there.  But you see, this is typical in my house.  Things can be going perfectly smoothly and then BOOM...........we have some kind of boy related escapade to take care of.  But it's all in how you look at it.  The way I see it is we've had a lot of family time this December and a lot of time in my Ford Focus which honestly isn't really a good thing.  Let's just say the boys are crammed together in the back seat of a very small car.  If you think poop on the bathroom floor is bad, try traveling back and forth with them to out of town basketball games.  But no one has been sick which is wonderful.  The weather has been unbelievable mild for December.  No one has died or been diagnosed with a major illness and no babies have been born prematurely - something that was on our mind last year and how can we forget Dec. 3, 2007 when my 2 lbs niece, Lauren, was born.  So although this blog was meant to be funny, I am completely serious when I write I am truly blessed this December and Happy Birthday Mike!  You may think you look younger than me but you don't and just remember you'll always be 18 months older - hee, hee.

Our Family Fun Christmas weekend

On Saturday we celebrated the Schmidt Family Christmas.  My grandparents have 9 great grandchildren and here they are.  My cousins and I laughed because some of the older children (Jay included) complained that they had to get their picture taken.  We laughed because the six of us cousins still remember having to pose for our pictures before we opened presents too. 

Sweet Lauren in her Christmas tu-tu.

Me, my mom and sis. 

My 82 year old grandparents!

This picture cracks me up of Nick and his cousin. 

Jay was spoiled again this year by Uncle Mike who got him another four wheeling shirt - Jay's fav! 

Merry Christmas everyone.  I wish all of you a relaxing week before Christmas to reflect on what matters most: Family and friends and the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ.

The six month verdict

On May 20 I walked out of my former office building for the last time - after working in that building for 13 years and being an employee for 16 years.  I was about to embark on a new opportunity where my morning commute required me to walk down my basement steps into my amazing office.  Was I scared?  Maybe a little but it was an instant fit for me.  I really like my new boss and my new co-workers and I adjusted to working from home in about two seconds.  Some people ask me if I miss the social aspect of working in an office and the answer is NO and I'm a social person and I made some real friendships with my former co-workers so I do not want to act like I don't miss them because I do but overall there is nothing I miss about working in an office - other than just seeing the smiling faces of my good friends that I use to work with.  I knew that once I had been with my company for 6 months I would know if I had done the right thing.  I like to tell people I have made 4 really good decisions in my life and accepting this job was the 5th!  It has been a good fit for me and I think it's been a good fit for my company too.  I still work a full day but I can balance my day and I really like that.  My most peaceful time of day is during the early morning hours when the boys are still sleeping.  I get my coffee, dim my office lights, read my devotionals, listen to christmas music (this time of year anyway) and start my work.  It's such a refreshing way to start my day.  There is no pressure to race out the door, fight the weather or yell at the boys because we have a time line to adhere to.  Sure I still have to get them to school on time but our pace in the morning is slower and more relaxed and that my friends is a really good thing!

Our weekend

Friday started with our first light snowfall.  Usually by this time of year we've had a few big snow falls but Dec. 9 was the first one and it was light.  The boys didn't care.  They jumped on the 4 wheeler before school and off they went. 

Friday night Mike tried to close his eyes for a few minutes b/c he's been a working fool and the boys decided to join.  Yeah, that only lasted about 3 seconds - long enough for me to take this picture.

My mom, sister, Lauren and Luke came over Saturday morning for brunch.  Lauren and Nick did really well together. 

Luke and his best buddy, Jay.  I have to say Jay is really good with Luke - responsible and attentive.

I have no idea why this posted twice but here's another look.  Ha.

The 3 Amigos!

Playing Go Fish!  It was my suggestion and notice how I'm not playing.  My mom and sister decided it wasn't the best game.  Lauren lost interest quickly and it's hard for the little kids to hold the cards.  Nick laid his cards out for all to see - kind of defeats the purpose of the game.  We had a really nice time though.  We are so blessed to have family in town.

Nick's penguin ornament

Peace & crazy

What a week!  I had every intention of slowing down this December but so far that hasn't happened.  However, there are still two more weeks until Christmas and I plan on enjoying them.  I had a moment this week where I had such peace.  It lasted for just a second but it was just what I needed.  It was in the very early morning hours.  The boys were still sleeping and I had gone down in my office to get a start on my workload.  This is typical for me and part of my daily routine.  I had my cup of coffee with me and I dimmed the lights in my office.  I flipped on my stereo and Nat King Cole was singing, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."  I love that I can get up the morning, sit in my quiet office with my coffee and have complete quiet except for the music which I love.  It's so peaceful.  It's a really good way to start my day. 
Nick has had another challenging week at school.  I'm really hoping he cleans up his act and those are his words, not mine.  Nick has the best personality but can be such a stinker and he's certainly testing the waters.  He had an incident at school today which landed him a visit with the prinicipal (Yes, now I can officially say both my children have been to the principal during their kindergarten year).  This incident involved another child.  My mom just so happened to have volunteered in Nick's classroom yesterday.  I was telling her what happened today and before I had a chance to tell her what child was involved she guessed who it was.  I was surprised.  She wasn't.  God bless my mother.  My mom was a teacher for 25-some years and she knew immediately which child Nick was having a problem with from the 2 hours she spent in the classroom.  It certainly didn't excuse Nick's behavior but my mood softened.  He broke down in tears after school.  It was hard to stay angry with him for too long especially once I learned what my mom's observations were.  There is so much more I could write tonight but for now I'm gonna call it a night.  I need to get my rest - who knows what tomorrow will bring.  With my boys, one never knows. 

Happy 4th Birthday, Lauren

We celebrated Lauren's 4th birthday yesterday!  All of us remembered Dec. 3 four years ago when we made a frantic race to the hospital because my sister had gone into labor 3 months early and was delivering.  When we got to hospital I found my niece in an incubator weighing only 2 lbs and looking no bigger than a jar of applesauce.  But she was tough and so strong.  We were all so thankful that the nurses affectionally referred to her as a "grower," meaning she was simply in the hospital to grow.  She came home 4 weeks later and 4 years later she is sassy, fun loving and the queen of her castle - since she's the only girl in our brood of boys!  Love you Lauren Grace.

One tough week

It's been a really difficult week.  I don't want to go into great detail because there are some things (although not very many, ha) in Jay and Nick's life I like to keep private and should keep private as their mother but trust me, it was one of the most challenging weeks with both of them for entirely different reasons.  I found myself feeling really down in the dumps all day yesterday and I was reminded of people who are dealing with so much more and I felt guilty.  The things I'm dealing with is normal and it will pass.  I'm thankful my children are healthy and I'm thankful that when life does get tough for them that they have a loving home to come home to.  I remember when I was little and things would get tough.  It was such a relief to come home to the comfort of my mom's loving arms and my dad's comforting car rides.  I stopped feeling sorry for myself after a long 24 hours of stewing and started counting my blessings.  After all isn't that what Christmas is all about? 

"Good Times"

When the boys were really small I remember thinking that when they got a little older things would certainly get easier and I wouldn't be so exhausted.  Now that they are older and in school full time all I can say is things haven't gotten easier - the problems have gotten bigger and it can get exhausting but in a different way.  I'm not as physically drained - just mentally drained.  Ha!  For example today I dealt with a child who got their feelings hurt at school, another child who made up stories to his teachers and got a note sent home from school which required a conversation about telling the truth and apology letters to his teacher.  The boys also thought wresting with their Nerf guns was a good idea until Nick got hit in the head and got a big goose egg.  I sent Nick to his room for back talk and heard him crying in his room.  When I went to talk to him I asked him why he was crying.  He couldn't even control himself through his tears.  Finally, through all his tears, he said, "I just know Jay and I are on Santa's bad list."  I wanted to reply with........"Ya think?"  But I restrained myself.  Instead I bit my lip and told him he still had a lot of time to get on the good list.  I really need to get The Elf on a Shelf!